By Renee Martinez, Founder of Raising Boys World
Mention Buffalo, NY and people assume snowstorms and dreariness. The truth is that visiting Buffalo can be a reasonably priced and fun family getaway. USA Today posted an article Free Attractions Near Buffalo, NY. There are lots of family attractions, and downtown is bustling in the summer. Thirty minutes from Niagara Falls, ninety minutes to Toronto, an hour to Rochester or an hour flight to New York City. Buffalo is convenient. Important note: passports are required to cross the Canadian Border.
Things to do with kids, especially boys:
• Buffalo Zoo
• Buffalo Museum of Science
• There are numerous area school public playgrounds, so finding free outdoor activity is easy
• Aquatic & Fitness Center to go swimming
• Erie basin marina or the Buffalo Erie Country Naval and Military Park. Tours available.
• Martin’s Fantasy Island
• Darien Lake Theme Park Resort
• Outlet mall – more for mom, but offers a good selection of stores
• Tifft Nature Preserve offers programs for learning about nature – but very limited hours
• Niagara Aerospace Museum in Niagara Falls close to the Casino on the American Side. It even has a play area with legos and things.
• Explore and More
• Glen Falls Park off Main Street-access to a nice waterfall, mud, ducks, etc.
• Fort Niagara-lots of places to run around and they have tours too.
• The Amherst Museum, especially at Halloween or when they have craft shows.
• The Holiday Inn on Grand Island. Kids can swim in their pool for $5 and adults for $7. They have a kiddie wading pool that is shallow. It is clean and fun there. You can order from the restaurant as well and they bring food right to you at the pool. Kids can bring boats to float in the shallow pool.
• There are several pottery places in the area. A fun thing to do on a rainy day. You can select a piece to paint, and they even fire it for you.
• Bounce Magic and my son’s favorite, Skyzone.
• Several area outdoor ice rinks. Fountain Plaza in Buffalo, in East Aurora, and one coming soon to Niagara Falls.
• Vidler’s – a real five and dime store like days past. The children love to find inexpensive things to bring home.
• Skiing at one of the area’s ski resorts. Several to choose from with ski rentals available.
• Niawanda, and other parks along the river. Can take skates, skateboards, your dog, etc..
• Reinstein Woods Nature Preserve
• Walk by Niagara Falls. Park on Goat Island. Parking is about $8 -unless you have a NYS recreation /parks parking pass. The NY side of Niagara Falls is a park, while the Canadian side of Niagara Falls is more like a theme park.
• Artpark used to have kids mornings on Saturdays. They had places to dig with big trucks under a bridge with little stones. The kids could drive these little trucks around and get all dirty. It was fun for the kids-but not sure if they still do it.
• Adventure Landing Putt-Putt mini golf
Check out the website fun4kidsinbuffalo for more ideas!
About the Author: Renee Martinez is the mother of 4 boys, the founder of RaisingBoysWorld.com, www.socialmediabizsummit.com, and the president of RubyMarCom (www.rubymarcom.com), a boutique marketing communications company. Her business blog (www.lisac95.sg-host.com), provides resources on everything marketing and social media related for her active audience. Renee is an adjunct professor at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY where she teaches social media marketing in the business school. Find Renee on Twitter at @reneemmartinez.
Photo of Buffalo by Scott Kinmartin, found on Flickr
Headshot of Renee Martinez by TBC Photo
